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Surgery in 2 weeks. Anything you wish you'd had available to you when you got home from the surgery? Guess I'm thinking about what to make sure to stock up on -- not just food, but other items that you hadn't thought of but you wish you would have? Thanks!

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I'm home a few days now. Before surgery I stocked up on sugar free pop cycles, chicken noodle Soup (broth tastes better to me than just "broth"), moved my recliner so it was right where I wanted it. Laid out pillows, it's amazing how much better you feel with a pillow wedged here or there when you sitting. Also walk around your house now and think of things you might bump into as you make your way around.

Good luck.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Haven't had my surgery yet but so far things that I've purchased based on what I've gathered from other posts are:

Gas X strips

Pill box (the Monday through Sunday kind for all your vitamins)

Pill cutter

Heating pad (for the hospital and home)

I'm sure others have more suggestions!

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One thing that I never thought of but my NUT recommended and I use everyday is a mug warmer. I bought a little coffee mate one for $10 and it keeps my food/ broth warm while I eat it since it takes forever to get everything down.

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I brought extra small bowls and plates and baby spoons and forks to eat with. That really helped with Portion Control. Loved using the tiny spoons when I was able to eat yogurt. They helped slow me down.

A good scale came in handy when I was able to start purée and solids.

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Don't overestimate the amount of soup/broth you'll need. I had surgery in March and still have plenty of broth and Soup leftover.

A food scale is great to have once you start solid foods.

I loved my ninja blender for Protein shakes.

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My Dr gave me this list

strainer

Measuring cups/spoons

Baby/toddler utensils

blender

scale

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I wish I would have bought different tasting things instead of a bunch of the same. My taste changed a lot the first two weeks and it was hard to eat everything I tried pre-pp. For example, I only liked orange Popsicles and that was my least favorite before, the same with Jello.

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What I wish I had purchased ahead of time that I sent my mom out for today:

Gas X strips. So many gas X strips.

Some sort of laxative, those narcotics did a number on me in the hospital. I wouldn't wish this pain on my worst enemy.

I was allowed zero calorie sports drinks with electrolytes, these have really helped me today. This morning I swore I'd need to be taken to the hospital for dehydration. Water tastes absolutely disgusting right now for some reason so diluting the Gatorade has been wonderful.

Different kinds of Soups I can stick in a blender. I'm allowed strained/blenderized soups.. The problem is I went through a couple for I found one I could tolerate

Ice packs

It's been a trip so far!

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What I wish I had purchased ahead of time that I sent my mom out for today:

Gas X strips. So many gas X strips.

Some sort of laxative, those narcotics did a number on me in the hospital. I wouldn't wish this pain on my worst enemy.

I was allowed zero calorie sports drinks with electrolytes, these have really helped me today. This morning I swore I'd need to be taken to the hospital for dehydration. Water tastes absolutely disgusting right now for some reason so diluting the Gatorade has been wonderful.

Different kinds of Soups I can stick in a blender. I'm allowed strained/blenderized soups.. The problem is I went through a couple for I found one I could tolerate

Ice packs

It's been a trip so far!

Great ideas - I'm poaching some of them! I hope you have a quick recovery! You made me think of something else...soluble Fiber. It will help going to the bathroom. I had a c-section a year ago and that was something all my c-section friends told me to get before surgery since the last thing you would want to do is push too hard and tear stitches. Same thing applies here I feel. Made all the difference. Some other people have posted about a tea called "Smooth Move" - sounds like it works well too!

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I just made my home easily accessible. I cleaned, did laundry, washed extra comforters & my favorite comfy robe. I also made some vegetable broth and stocked up on 2 week's worth of Protein shakes/drinks. I stocked up on cat food and kitty litter, then moved things around so I could tend to them without lifting or bending the wrong way.

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My surgery isn't until Jan 4 and for some reason this post has me excited :)

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The one thing that helped me post op the most was a wedge pillow so I could go from lying down to sitting up with less pain.

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First 5 days I lived on Protein shakes, greek yogurt, Cream of rice, home made chicken broth, (frozen into ice cubes for easy storage... do this with all your Soups btw). Only thing I can think that I didn't have was chewable Tylenol. I munched a couple of Tylenol Jrs when needed rather than the narcotic Syrup they sent me home with. Just didn't need it and it tends to give me icky tummy on a good day so I skipped it.

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G2 Gatorade. Pill crusher. Sf Jello. Small pillow for your belly.

I'm 3 weeks out now from Rny. It's been great. No complications and am able to tolerate all foods so far.

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    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

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